Want food for the soul? Take a trek to Tsukiji
Many foodies subscribe to the notion that a meal should not only satisfy your appetite, but also your soul.
If that is indeed the case, then consider Baek Hak-man - chef of the Novotel Ambassador Gangnam’s Japanese restaurant, Shunmi - a spiritual messenger.
Ever since he became a chef more than two decades ago, Baek has strived to make dishes that are not only pleasing to the palate but also good for the soul, sprinkling in devotion, passion and true heart. His cuisine of choice: Japanese.
“Japanese dishes have all the natural charms of good food,” the chef said. “Japanese food satisfies you simply, using natural ingredients.”
The restaurant, named after a well-known fish market in Tokyo, is one of the few in Seoul that serves a wide variety of Japanese dishes made with ingredients brought in directly from Japan.
“Tsukiji serves dishes mainly using seasonal ingredients,” Baek said. “The best dishes at that restaurant are the ones the chef there recommends on a seasonal basis.”
Some of the most popular plates include assorted sashimi; Nagasaki champon, which is a noodle speciality from the Japanese port city; and shime saba, or vinegar-pickled mackerel.
While Japanese restaurants are generally more expensive than ones focusing on others types of food - like Chinese and Korean - Tsukiji offers up affordable cuisine, especially when you take into consideration the high quality of the food, Baek says.
You can find great deals at lunch in particular, where set menus will run you between 13,000 won ($10.88) and 35,000 won. Aside from top-notch food, the restaurant also serves Asahi draft beer and the popular Meibo Yowano Tsuki brand of sake, which is widely served at high-end Japanese restaurants in New York City.
By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr]
Baek started his professional career as a chef in 1986 at the Hilton Hotel. Over the years, he has worked for several local luxury hotels, including the InterContinental Hotel and, now, the Novotel Ambassador Gangnam.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)